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The Pierre-Boucher Pavilion, one of the first pavilions of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
The Campus des Franciscains inTrois-Rivières becomes the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières in 1969
The Université du Québec à Montréal is created in 1969. On the photo is the inner courtyard of the establishment, located on the site of the former Saint-Jacques Church in the heart of Montréal. Several students are taking a break, seated comfortably on the steps nearby
The Université du Québec à Montréal
Rimouski welcomes a university studies centre in 1969 that would become the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) in 1973
University studies centre at Rimouski
Opened in 1931, the Immaculée orphanage of the religious congregation of the Petites Franciscaines de Marie becomes the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) in 1969
Immaculée orphanage of the religious congregation of the Petites Franciscaines de Marie
“Open doors” days at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières provide a fine opportunity to showcase the sport trophies of students attending the establishment. The photo features five young girls admiring the trophies, photos and other items in the team colours of this Cegep
Five young girls admiring the trophies, photos and other items in the team colours at the Cégep de Trois-Rivière
As of the 1970s, the Cégep de Trois-Rivières organizes “open door” days so that the Trifluvian population might become acquainted with the establishment. In this photo, biology teacher Julien Bernard offers a demonstration during this special activities day to parents and children. He is assisted by a colleague
Open door day at Cégep de Trois-Rivières
Built in the early 1960s, the Institut technologique de Trois-Rivières becomes the science pavilion of the Cégep de Trois-Rivières in 1968
Institut technologique de Trois-Rivières becomes the science pavilion of the Cégep de Trois-Rivières in 1968
A public college network is established in the 1960s. The photo is of the Cégep de Joliette inaugurated in 1968 on the premises of the Seminary of Joliette. In the foreground is the Beaudry wing, built in 1957 and which, from an architectural standpoint, was quite bold
Cégep de Joliette

The Creation of CEGEPs and the Université du Québec

The educational reform in the 1960s meant the end of a nearly two-hundred-year-old institution known as the classical colleges, controlled entirely by the clergy. They were replaced by high schools known as polyvalent schools. In the eyes of Parent Commission members, it was necessary to create a new level of education of at least two years to bridge the passage between high school and university or the job market. This new level of education became known as the CEGEP and offered general and vocational education. The first CEGEPs opened their doors in 1967. They numbered 12. Twenty-three others opened their doors between 1968 and 1970, nine in the following decade and five between 1981 and 2008. The number of students attending the college network increased rapidly, from some 72,000 at the end of the 1960s to more than 156,000 a dozen or so years later. Initial projections anticipated that only one quarter of CEGEP students would pursue university studies, while the others would register for vocational training programs. However, exactly the opposite happened, creating unprecedented pressure on Quebec's universities that numbered only six: three French-language ones (Laval, Montréal and Sherbrooke) and three English (McGill, Bishop's and Sir George Williams). Another profound change in the world of education was the creation of the Université du Québec in 1968 with branches in Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Chicoutimi and later Rimouski, Hull and Rouyn-Noranda. Finally, the regions were able to benefit from comprehensive university education, something they had demanded for years. The Université du Québec stood apart for its openness and roots in the milieu. It offered undergraduate and graduate programs based on new pedagogical approaches and promoted research.

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